Ask Mark

The first overall picks of the 1998 and '99 drafts - Colts quarterback Peyton Manning and Browns quarterback Tim Couch - will meet on the field for the first time today.

The game at Cleveland has major playoff implications in the AFC, where 14 of 16 teams are still in contention.

Manning needs 170 passing yards against the Browns to become the second-fastest quarterback to 20,000 yards (78 games). The fastest is Dan Marino, who needed 74 games.

As a rookie, Couch used to call Manning regularly on the "Peyton Hotline" to get advice on what to expect in the NFL.

COLTS (8-5) at BROWNS (7-6): Cleveland is one-half game behind the Steelers in the AFC North. Indianapolis is tied atop the AFC South with Tennessee. The Browns will try to run the ball with rookie William Green, who has at least 94 yards in four consecutive games, a streak that started at Cincinnati. The Colts are 23rd against the run, and the Browns will try to keep the ball away from Manning. BROWNS 20-19.

SEAHAWKS (4-9) at FALCONS (8-4-1): Seattle's league-worst rush defense won't be able to stop Michael Vick or any other runner coming at it. The Seahawks' only hope is to play keep-away with running back Shaun Alexander. FALCONS 27-13.

CHARGERS (8-5) at BILLS (6-7): Cold, icy weather could ground Buffalo's passing game, so this one looks like a grind-it-out duel between the Bills' Travis Henry (1,168 rushing yards) and San Diego's LaDainian Tomlinson (1,375). Let's see: Buffalo in mid-December, a California team? BILLS 22-20.

JETS (7-6) at BEARS (3-10): The Jets were watching Monday night whenMiami's Ricky Williams had more than 200 rushing yards against the Bears. New York will try to do much the same with Curtis Martin. JETS 31-13.

BUCS (10-3) at LIONS (3-10): Brad Johnson has thrown 15 touchdown passes and one interception in the past five games, and for the sixth game he will face the NFL's 24th-ranked pass defense. BUCS 28-7.

RAVENS (6-7) at TEXANS (4-9): Two of the league's worst defenses go at it, so quarterbacks Jeff Blake and David Carr will look to make a big play or two in the pass offense. RAVENS 17-13.

RAIDERS (9-4) at DOLPHINS (8-5): This game is being billed as the preview of the AFC title game. Maybe. The Raiders have won five in a row, following a four-game losing streak. The bump-and-run tactics of Miami cornerbacks Sam Madison and Patrick Surtain against Jerry Rice and Tim Brown should be fun to watch.

Oakland needs to come up with a second consecutive big game against a top running back. This week, Ricky Williams is the challenge. DOLPHINS 24-23.

VIKINGS (3-10) at SAINTS (9-4): Quarterback Daunte Culpepper has to stay away from interceptions for Minnesota to have a chance. But New Orleans should be able to move up and down the field, especially if QB Aaron Brooks' bruised shoulder is better, against a bad Vikings defense. SAINTS 27-20.

REDSKINS (5-8) at EAGLES (10-3): Coach Steve Spurrier goes back to rookie QB Patrick Ramsey, who will face blitzes all day from aggressive Philadelphia defense. A.J. Feeley gets another start at QB. EAGLES 26-18.

PANTHERS (5-8) at STEELERS (7-5-1): Pittsburgh just might end up throwing away the AFC North title. The Steelers have the league's third-ranked offense and eighth-ranked defense, so how are they in such a tight spot? A conference-high 31 turnovers, that's how. Kordell Stewarts waits in the wings for Tommy Maddox to falter. Not today. STEELERS 24-16.

CHIEFS (7-6) at BRONCOS (7-6): Just about all of Denver's statistics are pretty, except its record. Kansas City's only hope is that its NFL-best rushing offense can win the battle of possession with Denver's top-ranked rush defense. Let's take a 30-second timeout to appreciate Priest Holmes' 2,104 yards from scrimmage. BRONCOS 33-31.

COWBOYS (5-8) at GIANTS (7-6): This statistic is far more interesting than any element of this game: Dallas needs to win two of its final three games to avoid three consecutive 10-loss seasons for the first time in club history. GIANTS 13-12.

PACKERS (10-3) at 49ERS (9-4): San Francisco will try to control the clock with its sixth-ranked rush offense and keep the ball away from Brett Favre and Green Bay's explosive pass offense. Amazing Favre stat of the day: He's starting most-ever 170 consecutive games for a quarterback. . PACKERS 30-24.

CARDINALS (5-8) at RAMS (5-8): Who would have thought at the start of the season these teams would meet Dec.15 with the same record? St.Louis is going back to Marc Bulger at quarterback. RAMS 29-17.

PATRIOTS (8-5) at TITANS (8-5): Another game that depends on the ability of one team, Tennessee, to run the ball and keep it away from the other guy's pass offense. New England's rush defense isn't good, but it should be able to get quarterback Tom Brady on the field enough to punish a weak Titans secondary. PATRIOTS 23-20.

For games this coming Saturday, look for three road teams to win: Dolphins over Vikings, 49ers over Cardinals, and Eagles over Cowboys.

LAST WEEK: 12-4.

SEASON:

131-76-1.

Curnutte's Power Rankings

Team	Last week	Record	Comment
1. Buccaneers	1	10-3	Can clinch playoff berth with win at Detroit.
2. Packers	2	10-3	Brett Favre has 33-10 record in December starts.
3. Eagles	3	10-3	Running the table worth home field for playoff duration.
4. Raiders	4	9-4	Trying to overcome 10-20 December record since '95.
5. Saints	8	9-4	Need to score 43 points to set franchise record.
6. Dolphins	9	8-5	Ricky Williams gets 1,500 rushing yards.
7. 49ers	6	9-4	NFC West champs for first time since 1997.
8. Patriots	10	8-5	NFL-best 26 TD passes for Tom Brady.
9. Chargers	5	8-5	Three consecutive wins get them into the playoffs.
10. Colts	13	8-5	Marvin Harrison six receptions from 124 and catch record.
11. Falcons	7	8-4-1	33 of WR Brian Finneran's 46 catches get first downs.
12. Steelers	11	7-5-1	Turnovers (31) killing talented team.
13. Titans	15	8-5	Jeff Fisher NFL's winningest coach since 1999, 41-20.
14. Broncos	12	7-6	They're losing, so it's time to whine about penalties.
15. Chiefs	14	7-6	Outscored last three opponents 130-49.
16. Browns	17	7-6	Seven wins after 13 games for first time since 1994.
17. Jets	18	7-6	Herman Edwards is good; his team 10-4 on road.
18. Bills	16	6-7	Bledsoe gives franchise new life, even as hopes fade.
19. Giants	21	7-6	39-5 under Fassel when leading after three quarters.
20. Ravens	19	6-7	AFC-best 20 interceptions by revamped defense.
21. Rams	20	5-8	It's Marc Bulger's team now.
22. Panthers	25	5-8	1-4 all time when temperature below freezing at kickoff.
23. Jaguars	22	5-8	Coughlin's three jobs in danger of downsizing.
24. Cowboys	23	5-8	Emmitt shoots for record 12th 1,000-yard season in row.
25. Redskins	24	5-8	This game of musical quarterbacks never ends.
26. Cardinals	26	5-8	12 players on IR, including nine starters.
27. Seahawks	27	4-9	Local hero Alexander (Boone Co.) 98 yards from 1,000.
28. Texans	31	4-9	David Carr sacked 68 times, four off league record.
29. Lions	28	3-10	We hear Ford Field is really nice.
30. Bears	29	3-10	Brian Urlacher leads fan voting for Pro Bowl defenders.
31. Vikings	30	3-10	League-worst minus-18 turnover differential.
32. Bengals	32	1-12	Franchise-record nine return TDs allowed this season.

Return to Bengals front page...